Shanghai readies for new non-motor vehicle regulations

The Shanghai Regulations on the Safety Management of Non-motor Vehicles will become effective May 1, as part of the city's preparation for the planning and construction of a safer and easier system for slow traffic.

The regulations, released by the municipal government on Thursday, mandate that electric bicycle riders must wear a helmet and all non-motor vehicle riders are banned from making or answering phone calls by hand. They are also forbidden from using digital devices while riding.

Riding with a pet on a leash is also banned, according to the regulations, which also reiterated all the non-motor vehicle riders must not enter motor vehicle lanes for safety in general situations and should give way to pedestrians on zebra crossings.

Violations, including running red lights and going the wrong way, which pose severe safety threats, will continue to be key in traffic crackdowns, according to the city's traffic police.

The city's authorities of transport and road transportation said they are currently compiling a planning and design guideline for slow traffic across the city.

"We aimed to improve the connectivity of a systematic non-motor vehicle network. We'll cooperate with the traffic police to give more road using priority to non-motor vehicles," a document from the Shanghai Municipal Transport Commission read.

The commission also said it is mulling adding non-motor vehicle lanes on major roads where space is allowed. Another key point it will address is creating better points of connection between metro stations and non-motor vehicle users.